As Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day, Fox News anchor Bret Baier is encouraging the nation to rediscover the awe and inspiration found in the country's national parks and historic landmarks. In a recent commentary, Baier emphasized that these places tell the story of America and can help bridge the divides that often dominate public discourse.
Baier, who recently toured the country promoting his bookThe Case for America, noted that experiencing the vastness of the American landscape puts things in perspective. He observed that differences seem to fade when set against the grand backdrop of the nation's natural wonders, from mountains to prairies to coastlines.
On his podcastCommon Ground, Baier hosted two congressmen—Arkansas Republican Bruce Westerman and California Democrat Jared Huffman—to discuss their bipartisan bill, the Great American Outdoors Act 250. This legislation would invest $1.9 billion annually in national parks, public lands, and Bureau of Indian Education facilities. The bill builds on the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act and has garnered support from dozens of American institutions.
The national parks play a fundamental role in the American story, Baier argued. There are 63 national parks across 33 states and territories, and last year alone, 323 million people visited them. Actor Kevin Costner, a passionate conservationist, testified before the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee in support of the bill, stating that nature is beautiful and awe-inspiring but also vulnerable, and that conservation cannot afford to be a partisan issue.
Baier also reflected on President Theodore Roosevelt, whom he called the nation's greatest conservationist. Roosevelt's love of the American outdoors is among his most important legacies. The new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota, had its dedication ceremony on July 1 and will have its grand opening on July 4. President Trump attended the dedication, praising Roosevelt as a legend, statesman, soldier, frontiersman, and true American hero. Trump also signed the Great American Outdoors Act Reauthorization inside the museum.
Roosevelt, a New York City native from an elite family, found healing and purpose in the Badlands of North Dakota after the tragic deaths of his wife and mother. He wrote that the rugged and stalwart democracy of the wilderness allowed every man to stand for what he actually is. The 70,000-acre Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota stands as a testament to his connection to the land.
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is the first presidential library to be fully digitized, making it accessible to all Americans regardless of where they live. Interior Secretary and former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum spearheaded the project. Burgum told Baier that the digital availability is intended to inspire young visionaries across the country to be engaged in public life, just as Roosevelt was.
To the south of Medora lies Mount Rushmore, America's stunning presidential memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Baier will broadcastSpecial Reportlive from the site on July 3. The sculpture features 60-foot depictions of four presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. More than 2 million people visit Mount Rushmore every year.
Baier also visited Mount Vernon, George Washington's home, which has undergone a remarkable renovation since his last visit in 2023. He encouraged all Americans to find a way to see these historic sites in person, arguing that their vastness and significance are hard to fully describe in words.
The commentary underscores a broader message: that America's natural and historic treasures can serve as unifying forces in a divided time. Baier's call to action invites citizens to explore the landscapes and landmarks that embody the nation's heritage and ideals.
